International transfer at Istanbul Airport

Istanbul Airport is the connection point for many airline companies. Every day, tens of thousands of passengers struggle to catch their transit flights.

Especially passengers with little flight experience, the elderly, or those who cannot speak a foreign language have difficulty changing terminals and finding their departure flight gates.

We have prepared an international to international transfer guide exactly for these passengers.

First of all, when planning your flight, try to ensure that there is at least 2-3 hours between your transit flights. This may not be possible sometimes. But if you have a choice, definitely choose it.
In this case, you will experience less stress while finding your way around Istanbul airport or waiting in line for security control. By the way, if you are going to continue with the same airline or if you do not have any check-in luggage and your boarding card in hand, you do not need to go through passport control, you will just pass through the security checkpoint between the two terminals.

Lets start.

You got off the plane and entered the terminal. At this point you will see 3 signs. 1) Baggage Claim 2) Passport control 3) International Transfer.

Follow sign number 3. If you see people running on your path, it means you are on the right track. They are trying to catch their next flight. But still, do not forget to follow the International Transfer sign on the signs above your head.

There are 5 piers at Istanbul Airport and depending on the position of your arriving flight gate, this walk may take between 5 minutes and 25 minutes.

When you go downstairs using the escalators, there will now be 4 signs.

1) Baggage Claim 2) Passport control 3) International Transfer 4) Domestic Transfer

Since we will be connecting to an international flight, we will of course continue to follow sign number 3.

Yes, you are there, International Transfer security check. You may wait a bit in line here. This will range from 5 minutes to 15-20 minutes.

By the way, you are sure that your luggage is checked in to the final destination, right? If you’re not, you’re reading the wrong guide.

You passed the security check. Hooray, you are now at the International departure terminal. You do time management, right? This is really important.

On departing flights, boarding starts 1 hour before flight time and the doors close 30 minutes before flight time. If you have passed through security control only 1 hour before your flight, immediately find out your flight gate from the screens in the terminal, grab a snack and go to your gate. Your flight gate will be in one of the A, B, C, D, E and F piers. Try to meet your toilet needs in places close to your door, you will save time.

If you have 2 hours or more until your flight, enjoy yourself. You can relax in a lounge, shop, or have a delicious meal at a restaurant.

If you are travelling with two non-connecting flights, we recommend you read our Istanbul Airport Departures guide.

If you have arrived at Istanbul Airport after a long flight and there are more than 4-5 hours until your next flight, YOTELAIR ISTANBUL AIRPORT’s hourly accommodation opportunities may be attractive for you.